Process of making shells for playing-balls.



'No. 720,482. V PATENTED FEB. 10, 1903. J

\ F. H. RICHARDS.

' PROCESS OF MAKING SHELLS FOR PLAYING BALLS.

- APPLICATION rmm JUNE 4. 1902.

no MODEL. I

I G f7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. Y

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF IHARTFORROONNEOTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE KEMPSHALLMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

PROCESS OF MAKING SHEL LS FOR PLAYING-BALLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 720,482, datedFebruary 10, 1903. Application filed June 4. 1902. Serial No. 110,150-lNo model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANoIs H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inProcesses of Making Shells for Playing-Balls, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to the shells of playing-balls; and its object isto improve the structure thereof, and particularly to make the samecontinuous or uujointed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is a viewof a temporary core used in forming a shell. Fig. 2 shows a shell ofplastic material applied upon said core. Fig. 3 shows a second shellapplied over the Fig. 2 device. Fig, 4 illustrates a process ofcompacting the shell upon the temzo porary core. Fig. 5 illustrates amethod of removing the core, and Fig. 6 illustrates a completed shell orhollow ball.

In the several views similar parts are designated by similar charactersof reference. 2 5 I employ a temporary spherical core 1, consisting,preferably, of metal fusible at low temperature-such, for instance, asRoses metal-and upon this I form a shell 2, preferably of plasticmaterial, such as gutta-pero cha or celluloid. This materialmay beapplied in a soft, plastic, or solvent condition either by dipping orotherwise. If a thick shell is desired, the material 2 may be allowed toharden or partially season, and thena-sec- 3 5 0nd coating or shell 3may be applied and allowed to harden. If desired, one of the shells 2and 3, preferably the former, may be guttapercha, and the othermay becelluloid. At

Fig. 4 is illustrated a thick shell 2, made en- 40 tirely of eithergutta-percha or celluloid by one or more dippings or applications ofmaterial upon the core 1, and at this figure are also illustratedheating and compressing dies 4. and 5, whereby the shell may be given atrue spherical form, the heat of the dies rendering the plastic materialsoft and the pressure having the effect of compacting and further curingthe same. The core 1 supports the shell against the pressure of thedies.

The core may be removed by placing the ball in a cup 6, which maybeheated to an extent to melt the metal, as at 1, which may flow outthrough a fine aperture 7, formed in the shell, the outfiowing materialbeing indicated at l"; The ball is also preferablyprovided at its topwith an aperture 8 for ingress of air. The metal fuses at a temperaturewhich is insufficient to render the shell plastic or at least so soft asto collapse- If desired, the apertures 7 and 8 may be plugged up. AtFig. 6 is illustrated a complete shell made according to the abovedescribed method. It will be thus seen that the shell is hollow andwithout a transverse or radial seam or joint, andhence is not liable tocrack or burst.

My improved shell may be filled in any suitable manner or may be lefthollow, as desired. Variations may be made within the scope of myimprovements. illustrated at Fig. 4 may be omitted, if desired. Eitherthe simple or the compound shell may be made according to the methoddisclosed in pending applications, Serial Nos. 99,716 and 101,463.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. A process in forming a shellfor a playiugball consisting in forming a shell upon a sphere of metalfusible at low temperature, liquefying said metal by-heat, and drawingit from said shell.

2. A process in forming a shell for a playing-ball consisting in forminga shell of plastic material upon a sphere of metal fusible at lowtemperature, liquefying said metal by heat, and drawing it from saidshell.

3. A process in forming a shell for a playing-ball consisting in forminga shell of colluloid upon a sphere of metal fusible at low temperature,liquefying said metal by heat, and drawing it from said shell.

4. A process in forming a shell for a playing-ball, consisting inapplying a layer of plastic material upon a spherical body so as to forma shell thereon, and then evacuating said shell.

5. A process in forming a shell for a playing-ball, consisting informing a shell of nitro- The process 70' cellulose compound orpyroxylin material upon a spherical body of solid material, and thenwithdrawing the solid material.

6. A process in forming a shell for a playin g-ball consisting informing a shell of layers of plastic material upon a sphere of metalfusible at low temperature, liquefying said metal by heat, and drawingit from said shell.

7. A process in forming a shell for a playing-ball consisting in forminga shell of plastic material upon a sphere of metal fusible at lowtemperature, providing the shell with apertures, liquefying said metalby heat, drawing it through said apertures, then plugging the apertures.

8. A process in forming a shell for a playing-ball, consisting inapplying a pyroxylin material in a plastic condition upon a sphericalbody to form a shell, allowing said shell to harden, and then softeningsaid spherical body and withdrawing the same.

9. A process in forming a shell for a playing-ball, consisting incoating a collapsible spherical body with pyroxylin material to form ashell, and then causing said collapsible body to withdraw from theshell.

10. A process in forming a shell for a playing-ball, consisting informing a plastic shell upon a fluxible body, and then withdrawing saidbody.

11. A process in forming a shell for a playin g-ball, consisting informing a shell of plastic material upon a former consisting principallyor wholly of matterwhich may be caused to flow without destruction tothe shell, and then causing said matter to flow out of said shell.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS.

Witnesses:

B. O. STICKNEY, F. W. BARNAOLO.

